Unveiling the Maestro’s Wand
A couple of years ago, while visiting my sister, I noticed a box in my brother-in-law’s study that contained a conductor’s baton. I knew he had pursued conducting in his undergraduate music studies at UCLA, so I thought it was a relic from those days. Curious, I took it out and started waving it around, not giving it much thought. Little did I know that this unassuming wand was a special instrument, designed with great care by a Parisian MacArthur Fellow.
Last night, when I asked my brother-in-law about the baton, I was amazed to learn that it was created by Benoit Rolland, a master craftsman who has been making violin bows for the most discerning musicians for over four decades. More recently, Benoit has ergonomically redesigned the conducting baton, custom-fitting the instrument to the hands of the world’s leading conductors, allowing them to access the full musical range and communicate most effectively with their orchestra. Wow, I’ll be embarrassed if my brother-in-law reads this and finds out how I had been playing around with this newly designed, highly specialized communication tool.
The reason I thought about his baton is that conducting has been my latest research topic. After watching the biopic “Maestro” over the holidays and then performing at last Sunday’s Presto piano group, I realized the strong parallels between the roles of a conductor of an orchestra and the CEO of a company. Thus, my theme this week is all about uncovering the maestro’s conducting techniques and exploring how they can be applied to effective leadership in the corporate world.
Mastering the Art of Flow
Last month, I signed up to perform Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” for my Presto piano performance group. Once I committed, I was motivated to practice this piece with intensity. Playing piano is an important part of my happiness hygiene, contributing to my mental wellbeing.
I find myself in a state of flow when I practice, which provides me with an abundance of energy. Neurologically, our prefrontal area is temporarily inhibited in flow, triggering the feelings of distortion of time, loss of self-consciousness, and loss of our inner critic. Researchers hypothesize that the brain’s dopamine reward circuitry is stimulated, which amplifies our curiosity and enables us to communicate freely and enjoy engaging in the creative process.
Upon entering remission from my severe depressive episode just over two years ago, I decided to restart piano after a four-decade hiatus to honor my mom, my first teacher. In her final days, I would be sure that “Clair de Lune” was playing in her room, as her last words were, “The music is beautiful.”
In my introduction to my Presto group on Sunday, I shared that in restarting my piano studies a year and a half ago, my goal was to overcome my fear of flats so that I could play my mother’s favorite piece. Still in my early stages of practicing, I managed to prepare the first 3 pages before the key signature changes from five flats to four sharps. In performing my mom’s favorite piece with this safe accountability group, I learned how I need to practice going forward to get better.
The Maestro’s Vital Role
After our performances, fellow musicians gathered around our host’s dining table to enjoy tasty treats and share stories. I asked who had watched Bradley Cooper’s biopic on Leonard Bernstein’s life, “Maestro,” and then exchanged thoughts on the movie.
We discussed just what was the role of a conductor, and I posed the question of what would happen if the maestro didn’t show up – could an orchestra perform on their own? With many orchestral musicians in our group, they immediately commented that the conductor’s real work resides in the rehearsals, the background work with the one hundred members.
Our Presto leader, whose corporate career had been in healthcare human resources at Abbott Laboratories and Becton Dickinson before turning to music, exclaimed, “The key role of a maestro is shaping the music.”
Often, a conductor will choose the music for the season a year in advance. They may select a theme and choose soloists to perform with the orchestra. Then, a couple of months before a particular performance, they will study that music, singing it, playing on the piano, listening to others’ interpretations, to decide what their own will be. They will notate their score in the way they would like to shape the music.
They will decide when the music will climax, how instruments will relate and listen to each other. Orchestral members come to rehearsal prepared, which typically takes place a few times for a few hours before the actual performance. What the conductor conveys during these rehearsals is critical for the desired outcome of a “bravo” experience for the audience.
During the rehearsal, as well as the actual performance, the conductor will use gestures and facial expressions so that the music will sound like the interpretation they have envisioned. It’s a fascinating dance between the maestro and the ensemble, much like the intricate relationship between a CEO and their executive team.
Bridging the Baton and the Boardroom
As I reflected on the insights shared by my fellow musicians, I couldn’t help but draw parallels between the role of a conductor and that of a CEO. Both are responsible for shaping the outcome, guiding a team of highly skilled individuals, and communicating their vision effectively.
Just as a conductor must meticulously prepare the score, study the music, and decide on the interpretation, a CEO must carefully craft the company’s strategy, align the executive team, and articulate the vision. Both rely on their ability to inspire and motivate their “ensemble” to achieve the desired result.
In the rehearsal process, the conductor works tirelessly with the orchestra, providing feedback, adjusting tempos, and ensuring each instrument is in harmony. Similarly, the CEO must collaborate with their leadership team, foster open communication, and address any bottlenecks or challenges that arise.
Interestingly, the conducting baton itself is a symbol of authority and control, much like the CEO’s corner office. But the true power of the maestro lies not in the baton, but in their ability to seamlessly blend the individual contributions of the orchestra into a cohesive, harmonious performance.
In the same way, the most effective CEOs are those who can harness the unique talents and expertise of their team, aligning them towards a common goal and empowering them to excel. They know when to take the lead, when to step back, and how to create an environment where everyone can thrive.
The Maestro’s Mindset
As I delved deeper into the world of conducting, I discovered that the maestro’s mindset is one of unwavering focus, empathy, and adaptability. These are the very same qualities that great leaders in the corporate world must possess.
Conductors must have the ability to maintain their concentration amidst the swirling chaos of the orchestra, keeping a clear vision of the desired outcome in mind. Similarly, CEOs must remain steadfast in their strategic direction, even when faced with the constant barrage of distractions and challenges that come with leading a complex organization.
Empathy is also a critical skill for both conductors and CEOs. The maestro must have a deep understanding of the unique strengths and weaknesses of each musician, tailoring their approach to bring out the best in everyone. Likewise, the most effective CEOs are those who can foster a culture of trust and collaboration, where each team member feels valued and supported.
Finally, adaptability is key. Conductors must be able to pivot seamlessly in response to unexpected changes, whether it’s a missed cue, a broken instrument, or a sudden shift in the score. CEOs must possess this same agility, ready to adjust their strategy, reallocate resources, and steer their organization through turbulent times.
By embracing the maestro’s mindset, leaders in the corporate world can unlock new levels of performance, creativity, and cohesion within their teams. It’s a fascinating intersection of the arts and business, where the conductor’s baton and the CEO’s corner office converge to create a symphony of success.
Conclusion: Orchestrating Excellence
As I reflect on my journey of rediscovering the conductor’s baton and the lessons it holds for effective leadership, I’m reminded of the wise words of the Musical Theater Center, whose mission is to “inspire and empower the next generation of performers and creators.”
Just as the maestro wields their baton to shape the music, leaders in the corporate world must embrace the art of orchestration, bringing together a diverse ensemble of talent and guiding them towards a shared vision of excellence. By cultivating the mindset and techniques of the conductor, we can unlock new levels of harmony, innovation, and success within our organizations.
So, the next time you find yourself in a boardroom or on a concert stage, remember the power of the conductor’s baton. It is a symbol of not just authority, but of the transformative potential that lies within the intersection of art and business, where the maestro’s magic can inspire us all to reach new heights.
